Statement of Purpose
The district supports a secure and positive school climate, conducive to teaching and learning that is free from threat, harassment, and any type of bullying behavior. The purpose of this policy is to promote consistency of approach and to help create a climate in which all types of bullying are regarded as unacceptable.
Bullying and other behaviors as defined below are prohibited on district property, at district or school-sanctioned activities and events, when students are being transported in any vehicle dispatched by the district or one of its schools, or off school property when such conduct has a nexus to school or any district curricular or non-curricular activity or event.
Prohibited Behavior
- Bullying
- Retaliation against those reporting bullying and/or other behaviors prohibited by this policy
- Making knowingly false accusations of bullying behavior
Definitions
Bullying is the use of coercion or intimidation to obtain control over another person or to cause physical, mental, or emotional harm to another person. Bullying can occur through written, verbal, or electronically transmitted expressions (i.e., cyberbullying) or by means of a physical act or gesture. Bullying is prohibited against any student for any reason, including but not limited to any such behavior that is directed toward a student on the basis of their academic performance, on the basis of their weight, height, or body size, or any basis protected by federal and state law, including disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family composition, national origin, religion, ancestry, or the need for special education services, whether such characteristic(s) is actual or perceived.
Retaliation is an act or communication intended as retribution against an individual who reports an act of bullying. Retaliation can also include knowingly making false accusations of bullying or acting to influence the investigation of, or the response to, a report of bullying.
False Accusations of bullying are those made knowingly by an individual or group of individuals with the purpose of causing harm to another individual and which are false.
Reporting
Any student who believes they have been a victim of bullying and/or other behaviors prohibited by this policy, or who has witnessed such bullying and/or other prohibited behaviors, is strongly encouraged to immediately report it to a school administrator, counselor, or teacher.
A student who engages in any act of bullying, retaliation, and/or other behaviors prohibited by this policy is subject to appropriate disciplinary action including but not limited to suspension, expulsion, and/or referral to law enforcement authorities. The severity and pattern, if any, of the bullying behavior will be taken into consideration when disciplinary decisions are made. Bullying behavior that constitutes discrimination or harassment will be subject to investigation and discipline under related Board policies and procedures. Students targeted by bullying when such bullying behavior may constitute discrimination or harassment also have additional rights and protections under Board policies and procedures regarding discrimination and harassment.
Adopted: Prior to August 2016
Revised: August 2016
Revised: September 2020
Revised: June 2022
Revised: July 2024
Revised: February 2025
LEGAL REF.: C.R.S. 22-32-109.1 (2)(a)(I)(K) (policy required as part of safe schools plan)
CROSS REFS.:
Administrative policies:
AC, Nondiscrimination/Equal Opportunity
JB, Equal Educational Opportunities
JBB, Sexual Harassment
JICDA, Code of Conduct
JICDD, Violent and Aggressive Behavior
JICJ, Student Use of Electronic Communication Devices
JK, Student Discipline
JKD/JKE, Suspension/ Expulsion of Students (and Other Disciplinary Interventions)
JLDAC, Screening/Testing of Students (And Treatment of Mental Disorders)
Lake County School District R-1, Leadville, Colorado